Have trash nearby. Before you begin, wash your hands with soap and dry them well. Clean the surface you will be using and lay down a clean cloth. Gather supplies on the cloth. You will need two pairs of gloves. Open the gauze, but don't take it out. Touch only the packaging. Measure and cut the tape to the size needed. Put on gloves. Gently peel off the old dressing, starting at a corner. Peel up one corner at a time. Peel towards the wound only. Throw away the old dressing. Remove and throw away the gloves. Wash and dry your hands again. Put on a clean pair of gloves. Clean around the wound. Clean the wound. Remove the gauze from the package, touching only the corners. Place it over the wound. Tape the gauze to the skin. Remove and throw away the gloves. Wash your hands again.
Related Articles
Incision and Wound Care
Learn these guidelines to care for your surgical site or wound.
Step-by-Step: Changing a Surgical Wound Dressing
Here are the steps for changing a surgical wound dressing.
Incision Care
Learn how to safely care and monitor your surgical incisions.
How Wounds Heal
Wound healing sounds simple, but it's actually quite complicated and involves a long series of chemical signals. Certain factors can slow or prevent healing entirely.
